-
Recent Posts
Recent Comments
Archives
- November 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- February 2014
- December 2013
- October 2013
- August 2013
- April 2013
- June 2012
- April 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- May 2011
Categories
Meta
Blogroll
Organizations to Check Out
- Andover Newton Theological School My alma mater and a partner with the New England Pastoral Institute
- City Mission Society Great organization where I used to chair the board
- Interim Ministry Network Center for training interim ministers. I’m on their faculty.
- The Center for Progressive Renewal Organization planting new churches and helping with church vitality
- The Congregational Library Holds library and archives for all branches of Congregationalism. The director is my roommate.
- The Inner City Christian Federation Great organization where I worked as Development Assoc.
- The Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ Great resources for local UCC pastors
- The New England Pastoral Institute Organization where I direct their Clergy and Church Resource Center
- The United Church of Christ My denomination
Category Archives: Sermons
WIND, FIRE, WATER, EARTH
Pentecost 2015 Acts 2:1-21; John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 Pentecost is a major Jewish feast—one of the three great feasts of the Torah called Sahvuoth which our Jewish brothers and sisters are celebrating in Johnson Hall. All the Jewish pilgrims would be … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Leave a comment
They Were Afraid
Mark 11: 1-8 Easter Sunday 2015 What are you afraid of? There’s a lot to be afraid of in this world isn’t there? This past Tuesday the sun hadn’t risen at Garissa University College. Most students slept in their beds. … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Leave a comment
Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be
Romans 7: 14-25 Second Sunday of Lent (B), March 1, 2015 About 40 years ago, the eminent psychologist Karl Menninger wrote a book entitled Whatever Happened to Sin? He argued that whereas an earlier generation had a clear understanding of … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Leave a comment
Do We Need to Bug God?
Genesis 18; 20-32; Luke 11: 1-13 / Norman B. Bendroth Let me tell you how I learned to play the guitar. When my brother was thirteen he bought this crappy used guitar where the distance between the fret board … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Leave a comment
No More Goodbyes
Norman B. Bendroth It was my last Sunday. I had just finished a very satisfying stint as the Sr. Sabbatical Minister for six months. The folks gave me a wonderful send off with a photo album full of cards with … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Leave a comment
Happiness and Happenstance
New Year’s Sunday Have you ever thought how much can happen in a second? When you say, “Happy New Year!” you’re saying a remarkable thing. It only takes a second for your life to be totally changed or totally ended. … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Leave a comment
Romans 3: 19-23 / Reformation Sunday I spent my summers on Lake Winnipesaukee where my grandfather, uncle and father built three cottages. I spent many languid hours there, but one thing I can remember is that my grandmother always had … Continue reading
For the Love of Dog
A Homily on the Blessing of the Animals Sunday Is it any wonder why God spelled backwards is dog? My dogs have always mediated the love of God to me in uncanny ways. I know this is hopelessly anthropomorphic, but … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Leave a comment